Trump Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action, and Hamas Starts Bloody Crackdown

Plus, where are all the pennies?! 

Here’s what we’re covering:

Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela by Julian E. Barnes and Tyler Pager

Trump Considers Overhaul of Refugee System That Would Favor White People by Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Hamed Aleaziz

How the Pentagon Is Blocking Out News Organizations by Erik Wemple

Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump From Firing Government Workers During Shutdown by Tony Romm

Hamas Says It Has Returned All Hostage Remains It Can Recover by Ephrat Livni

With Truce in Place, Hamas Pursues Bloody Crackdown on Rivals in Gaza by Iyad Abuheweila, Aaron Boxerman and Sanjana Varghese

The Penny’s Demise Is Leaving Some Businesses Shortchanged by Sopan Deb

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